Welcome to Armchair BEA and my introduction
Since I can’t go to NYC and participate personally in the actual BEA exposition, I figured the next best thing was to participate in the Armchair BEA instead – sitting on my couch (or in the garden) with my laptop and my books in reach. To get to know the bloggers who participate better, the good people over at Armchair BEA have asked us all to answer some questions, and here are mine:
Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging?
I am Lexxie, I started blogging on June 2nd last year, and the reason why I started blogging was that I loved to read other people’s blogs. I first found those blogs thanks to friends on Goodreads, and I loved that it is possible to personalize a blog, with colors, pictures and different cool widgets in the sideabars. So I jumped head-first into the blogiverse, and I love it!
Where in the world are you blogging from? Tell a random fact or something special about your current location. Feel free to share pictures.Β
I am blogging from Switzerland π Sometimes, it’s a little sad to not be a US blogger, as a lot of the action on Twitter happens when I’m sleeping – but there are a lot of European bloggers I’ve found as well. And it’s great that the community is so international, because I now know people from all over the world, and they love books just as much as I do.
Have you previously participated in Armchair BEA? What brought you back for another year? If you have not previously participated, what drew you to the event?Β
No, I have not participated in Armchair BEA before, but I really wanted to go to the actual event. Since I knew that wasn’t going to be possible (at least this year) I saw a tweet about Armchair and decided that was a very nice compromise.
What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book you have read so far in 2013?
Right now, I’m reading Carniepunk. I love a lot of the authors who share their stories in this anthology, and so far, I really enjoy it. My favorite book so far in 2013 is This Girl by Colleen Hoover.
Tell us one non-book-related thing that everyone reading your blog may not know about you.Β
I have been married for 18 years and have four children π Not many bloggers know that – and I don’t really think it’s important, but it is a non-book-related fact about me.
Name your favorite blog(s) and explain why they are your favorite(s).
Some of my favorite blogs are in my sidebar, I check them out every day, and I love them because they all have really nice reviews, and some of them have a lot of blogger ‘self-help tips’ π
If you could eat dinner with any author or character, who would it be and why?Β
I would love to have dinner with Chess from Stacia Kane’s Downside Ghosts series. I think Chess is one of the most intriguing female MCs there is, she is both strong and weak, smart, headstrong and loyal.
What literary location would you most like to visit? Why?Β
I would love to go on a guided tour to Morganville… Both because I love Claire and Shane, and they could (probably) protect me there, and because the way Rachel Caine has written her books has made that town seem real to me – and I want to actually see it!
What is your favorite part about the book blogging community?Β
I love the fact that bloggers are so nice to each other, and that the sense of commuity is so strong. I really like reading other bloggers reviews, and chat about books, but the way bloggers always have each others’ backs in case of problems.
Twitter: bmreviewsohmy
BEA is the only reason I wish I live in or around NYC..lol. I never get to go because I can’t afford a week worth of hotel stay. π
I might have been able to stay with friends, at least for a couple of days – but the plane ticket costs too, and my whole family would be a little ticked at me if I went alone to NYC… not that they would want to come to a book expo with me – but they’d love to go to New York π
Twitter: bmreviewsohmy
BEA is the only reason I wish I live in or around NYC..lol. I never get to go because I can’t afford a week worth of hotel stay. π
I might have been able to stay with friends, at least for a couple of days – but the plane ticket costs too, and my whole family would be a little ticked at me if I went alone to NYC… not that they would want to come to a book expo with me – but they’d love to go to New York π
oh what a nice idea, it was really fun to know more about you! thanks!!!
Thanks Melliane π Are you doing the Armchair BEA as well?
oh what a nice idea, it was really fun to know more about you! thanks!!!
Thanks Melliane π Are you doing the Armchair BEA as well?
I adore the sense of community felt in the book blogger world as well. We really do have each other’s backs.
I love the international feel of the community too. With you in Switzerland and so many Australian bloggers that I’ve met, it’s wonderful meeting you all through blogging since it’s not likely I would have ever met you any other way. It’s been wonderful getting to know you more. Love this idea for the Armchair BEA and glad you decided to join in. I would love to get to go to NYC too, but I wouldn’t be able to either.
Jaclyn @ JC’s Book Haven.
One day, we’ll make it to New York for the BEA! That’s what I keep telling myself π Two of my friends are going this weekend, and I’m sure they’re going to have a blast!
And the internet is second best to teleportation π Getting to know you and other bloggers is just as much fun as reading and chatting about books!
Thanks for stopping by to leave me such a nice comment, Jaclyn π
I adore the sense of community felt in the book blogger world as well. We really do have each other’s backs.
I love the international feel of the community too. With you in Switzerland and so many Australian bloggers that I’ve met, it’s wonderful meeting you all through blogging since it’s not likely I would have ever met you any other way. It’s been wonderful getting to know you more. Love this idea for the Armchair BEA and glad you decided to join in. I would love to get to go to NYC too, but I wouldn’t be able to either.
Jaclyn @ JC’s Book Haven.
Wow, you’re in Switzerland. So neato! I think bloggers are the coolest bunch because you’re right, there is always someone willing to help you, support you, show you how to do something that has you pulling out your hair. I look forward to your Armchair BEA posts. I’ve never been to a book or blogger convention, but I think I want to start a little smaller than New York! There’s a RWA convention in Seattle in the fall. Hmm. I would love to go on a tour of Morganville too! Texas should seriously think about making it a tourist attraction. hehe
LOL, if we did find Morganville, though, do you think we’d meet some funky vamps?
I have been once to a bookfair in Brooklyn, it was totally by chance that it was when hubby and I were in NYC, and two of my bookish friends brought us there. Hubby isn’t a big reader, so he didn’t stay for very long, but I got to meet Diana Gabaldon, and I was elated!
I wouldn’t mind going to one of the smaller cons, but the one I’d really love to visit one day is BEA. ComicCon in San Diego seems like a lot of fun, too, with it’s mixture of TV shows and bookish things π
Thanks for stopping by Robyn π
Sheesh, I wouldn’t want to meet a single Morganville vamp, even Michael because as dreamy as he is, the dark side is wooing him. I’d like to experience like a diver goes and swims with the sharks. I’d love to go to a comic con one day. Patricia Briggs goes to several conventions every year and I love to read her husband’s take on everything (he manages the posts).
LOL, that brought a really funny visual to me! Of you, in a glass-tank walking around in Morganville, watching the vampires in the moonlight.
It’s so nice to hear more about you! I love that sense of togetherness that’s there as well! Everyone’s so close knit and I’ve seen that they promote each other as well; that’s so sweet π
I live in India, so it’s a bit difficult to find fellow book bloggers, though I’ve found a few now! π
My ArmchairBEA Intro! π
Hi Fahima π Being in a different timezone is the most difficult part sometimes, and for you, the difference is even bigger! I’m glad you have found some fellow bloggers that are closer to you, so that you are up at the same time π
Thanks for stopping by!
I’ve always wanted to visit Switzerland…one day I will. Congratulations on your 18 years of marriage! It’s rare for couples to last long in this day and age. I agree about the blogging community-it’s nice to have the support when needed, but it can be lonely if there’s a particular group of bloggers who go out of their way to make your life miserable.
Ah, I wish This Girl had been a hit for me, but it was a total miss. In part because I think Julia is the heart of Slammed and without her you don’t have a story and since Point of Retreat was Will’s POV, I feel Hoover could have addressed a lot of what we read in that. I’m happy others loved it.
Well, now you’ll have someone to visit when you come π Thank you – we have noticed that we don’t really have that many friends who are still married, but some do. I think it’s like with everything these days, we want things straight away, and so if there is something difficult going on it seems ‘easy’ to just leave it behind instead of trying to make it good again.
Oh, too bad you didn’t like This Girl! I get even more disappointed when I read a book I thought I would love, and then don’t.
Thanks for stopping by Jessica π
Yay another European person π Switzerland is such a pretty country. Just found your blog trough the armchair linky list and I see we have books in common so will follow you from now on.
Thanks Ciska π I love meeting more European and other overseas bloggers as well.
Thanks for stopping by π
I love finding bloggers from around the globe to follow, but I think you’re the first book blogger I’ve come across from Switzerland! I’m in Australia, so I understand the pain of being in a different time zone to most of the bloggers I enjoy.
Looking forward to the rest of your posts!
my intro post
Funny, while you were writing here, I was writing on your intro post on your blog! True story!
I, too look forward to more of your posts π
Thanks so much for stopping by!! I bet I am up when you are since my days are so messed up! I spent time in Switzerland when I was in high school back in the 80’s and it is so beautiful! This is my first Armchchair BEA too!
That’s cool that you’ve already visited Switzerland! In the 80s – when I was in highschool too, I still lived in my native country, Norway π I only got here afterwards, met my husband and stayed π
Thanks for stopping by Kriss!
I love Chess, but I’m not sure I’d want to eat a meal with her.
Hey, she does sometimes have a burger π Thanks for stopping by Liviania π
Hello there, fellow Euro book blogger! We’re not too far from each other either (I’m in Strasbourg, France). Was in Geneva not too long ago… Hope you enjoy BEA. It’s my first time too! :0)
Next time you come to Geneva, let me know in advance, we could go out for a coffee/tea/drink!
Thanks for stopping by π
I didn’t realize you were in Switzerland! That’s so cool. I hate the time difference too. It’s hard to stay in touch with everyone sometimes. I just won a Colleen Hoover book and I’m really excited to try it. I’ve only heard good things about her books!
I hope you’ll like your Colleen Hoover read! I love all her books. They are like the best things ever, all combined into a book π
Thanks for stopping by Melissa!
I’ve met so many international bloggers today! It’s nice to expand my knowledge of blogs to outside-the-US, even though I’m in the United States(but not at BEA). I agree about the book blogging community–it’s been very welcoming to me so far.
Hi Stormy π Nice to ‘meet’ you! The international part of the blogging community is awesome. We come from all over the world, but we share a definite love of books and all things bookish π
Have fun with #ArmchairBEA this week π
I know what you mean about some events, since I’m an INT blogger as well.
Oh, how I wish I could stay up all night sometimes, just to be a part of everything that happens in a different timezone!
Thanks for stopping by Mel π
I first discovered blogs from Goodreads too. Its my favorite site. the international aspect is wonderful, my friend Hilda from Catch the Lune did a blog event last year spreading details of different countries many bloggers lived in.
Nice to meet you Lexie!
I need to read your friend’s post – I love meeting bloggers from everywhere. And I’m so thankful the internet exists! I have met people I first got to know on the internet, and we have become really good, close friends π
Thanks so much for stopping by Rachel π
You’re welcome Lexie!
Here’s the link to the intro post of Hilda’s Armchair Backpacker event!
http://catchthelune.blogspot.com/2012/07/monday-muse-armchair-backpacker-1.html
Thanks for the links, Rachel, I’ll be sure to check them out!
We both have our 1st blogoversary coming in June! Or maybe mine is in July? Good grief, my memory is shot, lol.
Book bloggers are simply the best people in the land, that’s a fact π
I hope you’re having a fantastic ABEA!
LOL, I know when I started blogging only because I have the date of my first post π
Yup – Bookbloggers are the bestest ever!
Thanks for stopping by Jennifer π
Welcome to Armchair BEA! My first Switzerland blogger! I think all of us would prefer to be at the actual BEA conference. I just finished This Girl a couple of weeks ago. I love the Slammed series and Colleen Hoover. Good luck with teh rest of Armchair BEA! It was nice to “meet” you!
Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know
Hi Sandy π Nice to ‘meet’ you too! I love the whole Slammed series as well, Colleen Hoover never fails to rock my world!
I hope you’ll have a lot of fun during the Armchair BEA as well.
This is so neat, Lexxie! I’m going to enjoy BEA through you! π As I’m reading your answers, I’m laughing that we have even more similarities! I believe we’ve discussed before how much I enjoy Stacia Kane’s Downside Ghosts series too. And you also know I love Rachel Caine – and we’re fellow alumni…Morganville is actually described as being very similar to my hometown which is where I (and Rachel) went to college. It’s one of the things I love about the series so much…reminds me of home. π AND I have also been married for 18 years and I have 3 children. π
I, too, enjoy the strong sense of community within the book blogging community. π
Ha! Every time we chat, we discover more things we have in common, it’s pretty amazing π
And it’s all thanks to the internet and the blogging community π I look forward to sharing lots more of bookish (and not so bookish) thoughts and chats with you Brandee!
I love that blogging brings people all over the world together. In the last few minutes, I’ve landed on blogs from the U.S, Canada, South Africa, and now Switzerland. π
I live only a few hours from NYC, but it’s still just as much an impossibility for me, at least this year.
Have a wonderful week!
Wow, you’ve traveled all over the world in just a few minutes, and thanks to some clicks on your computer. That is something that always amazes me, Maria π
I think that even just a few hours away from New York makes it difficult, because you’d need somewhere to stay, and probably eat out more often than you’d do at home – so the expenses would definitely pile up quickly.
Have a wonderful Armchair BEA week, too – and enjoy traveling through the internet.
**waves hi to Lexxie**
I have friends in Switzerland and hope to visit someday! I’m on the west coast in the US and am a nightowl so I actually talk to a lot of people in the UK during their daytime π I’ll look for your facebook and connect and maybe we can have book conversations π
Hi Deborah π That’s neat – I have some friends who are up late, too, and so we can catch up at least once or twice per week π
Thanks for stopping by, and waving across the ocean. I look forward to chatting about books!